Courtesy of Jaydee P.
Name: Jaydee P.
Position: Director of Finance
Hotel: Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort
Dream destination: Tanzania. A safari in Serengeti National Park and some relaxing time at the beautiful beach in Zanzibar would just be amazing!
Drink or treat of choice: A fresh mango smoothie or a nice cold beer is always refreshing.
Despite having barely any hospitality experience before joining Marriott, Aruba native Jaydee was surprised and delighted by the support and trust she immediately felt upon joining The Ritz Carlton, Aruba as Assistant Director of Finance.
“I was welcomed with open arms and was able to receive support from not only my property, but also from the regional office and other properties on the island,” Jaydee says. “No question was too much and plenty of resources were available online as I learned to understand Marriott’s way of doing business.”
Courtesy of Jaydee P.
For Jaydee, this trust and support were key as she took on different Marriott positions in Aruba and the Caribbean before eventually moving to the opposite side of the globe to become Director of Finance at the prestigious Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, a 470 room five-star resort facing one of Thailand’s most spectacular beaches.
“I was highly supported and encouraged by my leaders to apply for the opening. And I got the position!” she says. “To have my efforts recognized by my senior leaders was truly humbling and it was also the steppingstone for the rewarding journey that I had ahead of me with Marriott.”
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Another hint that her journey at Marriott has just started is the fact that every day at work Jaydee is surrounded by colleagues who have been in the hotel for 10, 20 and even 30 years. “The hotel is now in its 37th year and we have recently had several associates who just retired and had been in the hotel since the opening,” she says.
“Associates have a great sense of pride in saying that they work at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and of course it is also this abundance of experience that makes us a great place for interns to come and learn the meaning of true hospitality. The Marriott Culture is alive here as we see the successes and career progression of many in our team.”
Below, learn what this promotion meant for Jaydee, her favorite part of working in paradise and more, in her own words.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
When I was promoted to Bench Sr. Assistant Director of Finance and shortly after, won the 2016 Assistant Director of Finance for the CALA Region. When the position opened up, I thought to myself this was the perfect role for me. Being able to grow in my career and travel for work to assist different properties in the region would be the perfect opportunity. Even though I had only been with Marriott for a year and a half, I was highly supported and encouraged by my Director of Finance and Area Director of Finance to apply for the opening and ultimately, I got the position! To have my efforts recognized by my senior leaders was truly humbling and it was also the steppingstone for the rewarding journey that I had ahead of me with Marriott.
Courtesy of Jaydee P.
How would you describe your experience as a Marriott associate?
My experience has been fulfilling and inclusive. The company’s focus on recognizing hard work and engaging in “Take Care” activities fosters teamwork and personal development. Marriott’s commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every associate feels valued and respected. It is a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I enjoy being able to interact with different people from different departments and backgrounds and together come up with innovative ideas to create something big.
Courtesy of Jaydee P.
When have you felt like a part of a community at Marriott?
All year round we do numerous Take Care activities, including a “Road to Give” walk/run in the different areas of the APEC Region. Last year we organized the run together with ten other Marriott properties in Southern Thailand. It is amazing to see teams from different properties come together and organize this run. It was a huge success, and we were able to raise donations that were given back to the community.
What advice do you have for anyone who wants to work at Marriott?
Opportunities are endless! Marriott is not only about hotel rooms, but there are also so many other aspects: from Restaurants to Spa to Casino to Human Resources to Sales and Marketing and even the brilliant Finance Department. You can work at a hotel or at the regional office where they work on getting more hotels, future innovative systems for the hotels, strategic marketing of the brand and so much more. It is important that you keep learning as you go, not only from your discipline but also from other areas as this will be beneficial to you in your future growth in the company.
Courtesy of Jaydee P.
How have you used the Marriott Explore Rate?
Being a solo female traveler, my first choice is always to stay at a Marriott property as I am sure to receive a warm welcome, receive many tips on what to do or eat and have a comfortable bed at night. Having so many properties across the world, I have been able to enjoy the travel discount from Japan to South Africa to Spain to Peru and Aruba. I can’t wait to use this benefit during my next trip roaming around China!
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